Identification and characterization of hydrothermally altered minerals using surface and space-based reflectance spectroscopy, in parts of south-eastern Rajasthan, India

Imaging spectroscopy has evolved as one of the most significant advancements due to contiguous spectral coverage and higher spectral resolution which enable mineral identification and mineral exploration. Many phyllosilicate and carbonate minerals show specific spectral absorption feature in the wavelength range of visible-to-near-infra-red region of electromagnetic spectrum. These spectral features enable delineation of different mineral assemblages which in turn help in mineral prospecting using hyperspectral imaging spectra. The present study is focussed on evaluation and application of EO-1 Hyperion (hyperspectral) data as an Earth Observation tool for mineral detection and mapping in parts of Udaipur district in south-eastern Rajasthan. Hyperion reflectance imagery of this area was analysed using spectral angle mapper after pre-processing, atmospheric correction and geometric correction. Five endmembers, viz. dolomite, montmorillonite, chlorite, phlogopite and serpentine, were derived from both atmospherically corrected image and from rock samples in the laboratory using ASD field spectroradiometer covering spectral range of 0.4–2.5 µm. The reflectance spectra of endmembers derived from satellite image were initially compared with USGS mineral spectral library, and then after comparing with laboratory-based spectra with respect to absorption features, target minerals were identified which shows more than 70% match with the USGS and laboratory spectra. These minerals were also cross-checked with the reported litho-sequence of the area. Minerals derived from laboratory and image spectra are indicative of hydrothermally altered outer thermal aureole which is also corroborated by litho-structural association of the area.